Sports
Sports
Archery
For more than 50 years athletes with disabilities have been testing their accuracy and precision in archery competitions. Today, people with disabilities compete with able-bodied competitors, with both standing and wheelchair athletes competing in women and men's categories. Competition includes singles, doubles and team events, and the competition and scoring procedures are identical to those used in able-bodied events. The International Archery Federation (FITA) is the international governing body of archery activities.
Athletics
Athletics offers a wide range of competitions and the largest number of events. Athletics has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1960 and, since then, advances in technology and the athletes' sheer dedication to the sport have made once unimaginable feats become realities.
Athletics events are open to athletes in all disability classes. Athletes compete in wheelchairs, others with prostheses, and visually impaired and blind athletes compete with the guidance of a sighted companion. Athletes with a hearing impairment also compete in various events with the use of modified starting lights. Events include track, throwing, jumping, pentathlon and the marathon. Athletes compete according to their functional classifications in each event and these events are continually being redefined to include as many athletes as possible.
Boccia
Boccia is descendent from ancient Greek ball tossing games. In 1984 Boccia was officially recognised as a Paralympics sport and was first played in Australia in 1987. The sport continues to grow not only in Australia but throughout the world with over fifty countries now participating. Boccia provides opportunities for people with severe physical disabilities to attain elite performances. It requires tactics, skill & control and concentration to make a perfect game. The balls are of a solid but pliable nature with a kinetic and rolling quality, this often means those with a more severe functional disability are able to grip the ball more easily. It also has the possibility of reducing the advantage of physical strength so that skill becomes a more important factor. A player can also kick the ball into court and others may use specifically designed assistive devices such as ramps.
For more information please visit www.boccia.com.au
Cycling
Athletes either compete on a track or on the road. Track racing has various types of events including sprints and individual time trials whilst road races are conducted on regular roads.
Athletes with cerebral palsy compete using standard racing bikes and, in some classes, tricycles. Amputees and cyclists with permanent locomotor deficiencies compete in individual road race events using cycles specifically constructed for their needs including handcycles.
The Cycling Australia National Para-cycling Program incorporates the High Performance program and the Development Program, creating a pathway for riders, coaches and staff to flow from entry-level beginners through to top end elite.
For more information please visit http://www.cycling.org.au/?Page=17520
Football
CP Football competitions are available for athletes who have cerebral palsy (CP) and who have acquired brain injuries (ABI) that have CP symptoms.
This is a seven a side game that follows the rules of the International Federation of Associated Football (FIFA), with some modifications made to make the game more exciting and to accommodate the disabilities of the athletes. There is no off side law, the field and goals are small and throw-in's may be made with one arm. CP football is governed by Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association (CPISRA).
Lawn Bowls
Lawn Bowls is a sport where people with a physical disability can participate equally with able-bodied competitiors. There are no changes to the rules and competitors can compete on both normal green and synthetic surfaces.
Powerlifting
Athletes with a physical disability compete in the Bench Press. To perform a bench press a lifter lies on a bench and the bar is supported on racks behind the lifter's head. The bar is taken from the racks at arms' length, lowered to the chest and pressed back to arms' length.
Shooting
Shooting is a test of accuracy and control, in which competitors use pistols or rifles to fire a series of shots at a stationary target.
Athletes compete in Rifle and Pistol events from distances of 10, 25 and 50m, in men's, women's and mixed competitions.
Shooting is governed by the IPC and coordinated by the IPC Shooting Technical Committee following the modified rules of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). These rules take into account the differences that exist between shooting for the able-bodied and shooting for persons with a disability.
Swimming
Swimming is one of Australia’s favorite sports and leisure activities and occupies a unique place in the national identity.
Disciplines include Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, Breaststroke and Medley events. Male and females of all abilities are able to participate and compete. Distances vary according to the athlete classification and the event.
The International Swimming Federation (FINA) rules are followed with some modifications, such as optional platform or in-water starts and consideration given when performing the swimming strokes. There are opportunities to participate and compete at all levels from your local club up to the Australian Championships.
Table Tennis
Table Tennis was included in the first Paralympics in the 1960.
Athletes from all disability groups (with the exception of athletes with blindness/visual impairment) participate and compete in Table Tennis in standing and wheelchair classes.
Men and Women compete as individuals, in doubles as well as team events.
Volleyball
Volleyball is a very quick and exciting game to play and watch. It is easy and fun to play at a recreational and a competitive level.
There are three disciplines of disability volleyball in Australia; Deaf Volleyball, Sitting Volleyball, Standing Volleyball.
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair Basketball was one of the foundation sports on the Paralympic Program in Rome in 1960. Today, it is one of the most popular sports for athletes with a disability.
To be eligible to play wheelchair basketball, a person must in their lower limbs have an objective and measurable permanent physical disability, which prevents them from running, jumping and pivoting as an able-bodied player.
The Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball League (WNWBL) and the National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) conduct the National Leagues. For all information regarding competitions, rules and regulations, pathways, results and history please visit:
WNWBL www.wnwbl.basketball.net.au
NWBL www.nwblaus.com
Read more: Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair Fencing
The Modern Olympic sport of fencing demands those same talents of speed and skill allied with fitness and stamina to produce the complete fencer.
Learning the skills of attacking and defending with either foil, epee or sabre, fencers develop good coordination, balance and flexibility.
Fencing is one of the few personal combat sports that can be successfully practised from a wheelchair. The rules are exactly the same as in the able-bodied sport with a few minor additions to cover the complications of fighting from a chair.
The wheelchair fencer is clamped down at the appropriate distance and angle from the opponent which means that neither can get out of range during the bout. This makes for exciting, intense and tough competition demanding high levels of concentration with the slightest error resulting in defeat.
Wheelchair Rugby
Wheelchair Rugby was developed by three Canadians from Winnipeg, Manitoba as a quadriplegic equivalent to wheelchair basketball. The sport was originally called “Murderball” due to the aggressive nature of the game.
Wheelchair rugby is an intense, physical team sport for male and female athletes with quadriplegia (tetraplegia). The aim is to score goals by crossing the opposing team’s goal line while in possession of the ball. A volleyball is used and may be passed, thrown, battled, rolled, dribbled, or carried in any direction subject to the restrictions laid down in the rules. Kicking the ball is not allowed. The ball must be bounced at least once every 10 seconds and rugby is played in eight-minute quarters.
Wheelchair Rugby Australia (WRA) conducts the National Wheelchair Rugby League (NWRL) and exists as a Sports Section of Wheelchair Sports Australia (WSA). For all information regarding competitions, rules and regulations, pathways, results and history please visit www.nwrl.sportingpulse.net
Wheelchair Tennis
Wheelchair tennis appeared for the first time on the Paralympic program in 1992. It originated from the USA in the 1970's, and it continues to develop a strong following of players and fans internationally.
The game follows traditional tennis rules and certainly maintains the same traditions of high levels of skill, fitness and strategy. The only difference in wheelchair tennis competitions is that their players are allowed two bounces of the ball; the first bounce being within the bounds of the court.
To be eligible for these competitions, the athlete must be medically diagnosed as having a mobility-related disability. Singles and doubles events are included in the Paralympic program.